Local authorities to provide health MOTs

Local authorities (LAs) are to take over responsibility for carrying out health checks on people aged 40 and 74.

Under Government reforms LAs will have a duty to ensure everyone in this age bracket is invited to receive an "MOT" which will assess their risk of developing life-threatening diseases including stroke and heart disease.

Launched in April 2009, the programme is currently the responsibility of NHS primary care trusts (PCTs).  At the time the Government estimated that it would prevent 1600 heart attacks and strokes each year and help save 650 lives.  However, reseach carried out by the charity Heart UK published last month suggests that progress has been "patchy" with nine PCTs yet to provide a single health check.

Source:  Health Insurance Magazine

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